Bucking Bar

Bastian's been at NWA for what, 3 days, and he already loves the DC9?

:

What's in the water up there?

Wonder if he'd like to share a White Russian?

Just kidding, that's great news if our worst fears are avoided and we keep some of OUR flying. Hey, I think I'm starting to like the DC9 if it doesn't cost me my job.

NuGuy

Heyas 320,

Naw, it's just a case of bipolar disorder they caught from "The General". If it helps their case, word from John Boy's aunt's third cousin's (twice removed) hairdesser's boyfriend, then it's gospel.

If it hurt's their case, word from the number 2 guy at the company is "we'll see".



Nu

Scoop

Bring on the '9s, the MD-90's, the as yet unnamed 100 seat jet and any other aircraft that brings more mainline jobs to the company. The more the merrier, and the longer they stick around the better. I think what you are seeing is not a dislike of the DC-9's but a distrust in our fearless and well compensated leaders.
If DCI is going to be responsible for actually making money (what a radical concept) they may shrink quite a bit - which may actually mean a 100 seat replacement jet at mainline! Oh no, I cant let these optimistic thoughts affect my normal level headed, management distrusting judgement. I'll believe in the 100 seat jet at mainline when I see it parked at the gate. Whew - I feel a lot better now.

Scoop

newKnow

Wow. Bar and I are on the same side of an issue? What's in that cup, bud? I need some of that.

sailingfun

Delta pilots don't hate the nines. We just don't believe they will keep them. They have dumped a bunch of newer more fuel efficient aircraft in the last 5 years in that size range. Why would they keep the nines. They have been telling us since they parked Delta's DC-9's that a replacement aircraft is coming soon. Thats been since 1991. Every single lounge show they tell us they are about to announce a new 100 seat aircraft any day. Well after 15 years of hearing about it you get a bit jaded!!! The nine retirement plan has not changed since the merger annoucement this year except to retire 6 additional airframes in 08. There will be 62 at year end. Down from 160 not long ago. They will continue to go away in a orderly fashion with the last flights in 2012.

Superpilot92

Ed Bastian is that you? Thanks for the heads up on the future fleet plans.

Management is becoming more and more vocal about the viability of the DC9s being used as a filler until a new plane is found for mainline. For some reason you ignore what they say when it comes to the DC9s. Why do you believe it when they speak about their plans with original DAL planes but not when they talk about NWA planes? never mind i know why

Keeping the 100 seat flying at DAL is a GOOD thing. This is an opportunity for you Original DAL boys to get and KEEP the 100 seat flying at Mainline. This time it simply cant be given up.

Ferd149

If they really are going to get rid of a large number of 50 seat RJs (CASM) they will need to replace that flying somewhere. The new Delta has told numerous "city fathers" that they won't lose air service. One 9 can service a city with two 50 seat RJ flights a day with a loss of frequency but not seats, what the local politicians are really interested in.

MD-90s are great and maybe a 717 fleet. I understand a 717 only needs differences training from a DC-9...........that and how to run a glass cockpit for them ol' map and vor guys.

DelDah Capt

To the NWA brothers.....

I guess what you have to understand is that most of the stuff in that meeting from Bastian is stuff we've been hearing for several years.

....We've been two weeks away from inking a deal on MD 90s for a couple years now....hasn't happenned yet.

.....We've been told that any 100 seat plane will be flown by Delta pilots....unfortunately, they just can't find a 100 seat plane they like and have been looking for a couple of years.

....We've been told how much they hate 50 seat RJs....but there are still an awful lot of 50 seat RJs flying around in Delta colors.

With that in mind, when he says the DC9 will be here for 5-6 years, I'd take it with a grain of salt. Like all good managers, Bastian knows his audience and will speak accordingly. I listen to all the various pronouncements from Flight Ops and Executives because any information is useful, but I realize that it's all subject to change and I wouldn't bank on any of it.

...last month they got a big new contract which 'saved' the DCA shuttle, this month they turned the DCA shuttle into mostly RJs.....we've been hearing announcements of an imminent Adv. Entitlement for 3 months....there's going to be a BOS base....etc, etc.

Putting too much stock in anything you hear from someone in a suit can lead to major disappointment. However, if you want some real entertainment, read the transcripts of Bastian's testimony about Delta pilots in our bankruptcy 1113 hearings

Fly4hire

Nu,

There are some shorted sighted individuals who want to see the DC9 go away for no other reason than to attempt to use it as leverage against us in the SLI.

They would rather see fewer mainline flying jobs at the combined DAL than a SLI that did not advantage them.

Wasatch Phantom

Well said DelDah....